A quarterly newsletter by Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County featuring updates on our McKenzie Regional Workforce Center and Careerforce Build UP! Programming.

Check out the amazing programs we have coming up this fall for our youth at the middle school and high school age levels! Thanks to YOUR generosity, we are able to offer all of these programs FREE of charge!

Celebrating Success: Pre-Apprenticeship Bootcamp Award Ceremony

On August 16th, we gathered to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our MRWC Pre-Apprenticeship Bootcamp graduates at a special award ceremony and celebration. The event, which took place after a lunch reception with students, their families, and guests, was a true testament to the dedication and passion of everyone involved.

The ceremony began with warm welcomes from Diamond Washington, Program Director, and Johanna Wiltse, Youth Outreach & Program Coordinator from WRTP|BIG STEP. Their words set the tone for an inspiring afternoon. Jenna McDade, South Central Region Director for WRTP|BIG STEP, followed with opening remarks that reflected on the importance of apprenticeship programs in building strong, skilled communities.

We were also honored to have a lineup of distinguished guest speakers who shared their insights and encouragement and inspired the graduates to continue striving for excellence in their careers. We extend our heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to all the graduates and a sincere thank you to everyone who made this day possible. Together, we are building brighter futures!

The BLAZE: Girl Trailblazers in Trades camp, a collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, recently concluded with impactful results. This week-long program for girls and nonbinary students aged 14-17 provided hands-on exploration of the construction trades, including field trips, career presentations, and practical building projects.

Participants engaged in activities from architectural design to plumbing, visiting construction sites and showrooms. They built two full-sized sheds, learning skills in framing, siding, and roofing. Additionally, they contributed to the Little Free Library initiative, creating and installing decorated libraries at the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center.

Nearly 100 volunteers from 25 local construction companies guided the campers, sharing expertise and real-world perspectives on careers in the trades. The camp inspired many young attendees to consider futures in construction-related fields.



Organizers thank all the businesses and organizations involved, including The Varsity Collective and Carter McCray from UW Women’s Basketball.

We recently invited students from the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) to explore the trades and experience everything the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center has to offer through a field trip, giving them the chance to see firsthand the opportunities available.

Our goal is to train and connect hundreds of young people and emerging adults to the trades for generations to come. Click the button below to connect with our VP of Workforce Development, Alan Branch, and get involved with our skilled trades & and entrepreneurship programming.

As you can tell, our fall programming will be starting soon! We would love to show you around our amazing new facility - to schedule a tour, feel free to reach out below.

With so many events and rapidly growing membership, we need all the help we can get! If you or your organization are interested in volunteering with McKenzie Regional Workforce Center, either at a one-time event or on a recurring basis, please click the button below.

Youth Coordinator (Skilled Trades)

Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County is seeking a enthusiastic, individual who wants to make a difference in the lives of youth, families, and our community to join our team!

This position will be working with young individuals aged between 5 to 13 years old and adolescents aged 11 to 18 years old, both within and outside of the school premises. The role of this position is to introduce young people to construction careers through interactive and hands-on activities and programs. The coordinator will collaborate closely with other staff members to plan, implement, supervise, and evaluate these activities and programs for young people, with a particular focus on the needs and interests of adolescents. The role will support cooperative efforts across various school sites, multiple Boys & Girls Club sites, and the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center. Typically, this position's work hours are midday to evening hours, and it may involve additional daytime hours for early-release and non-school days, as well as evenings and weekends for special events. The coordinator will be required to travel between different locations.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• The role involves planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities for youth aged 5-13, utilizing specific curricula and collaborating with partners to facilitate construction-related programs in Dane County schools and organizations.
• Ensuring safety through supervision, maintaining a supportive environment for volunteers and partnerships, and potentially transporting youth in club vehicles are key responsibilities of this position.
• The job requires providing positive guidance and role modeling to members, creating an inclusive environment that supports youth development outcomes, and maintaining professional communication to represent the Boys & Girls Clubs brand effectively.
• Candidates should have at least one year of experience delivering curriculum to youth, be at least 21 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent, and be willing to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Full-Time

Beginning salary starts at $18.00/hour



Join us for this yearly tradition and help raise funds for Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County! Whether you're tackling the 10K Run, 5K Run, 5K Walk, or joining virtually, there's an option for everyone. The Shamrock Shuffle is Madison's first major race of the year, and no matter the weather, thousands show up ready to make a difference!

On behalf of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, we'd like to extend our deepest gratitude to our program partners. Because of you, we are making a profound impact in our community and will continue to do so for years to come.